What is CEJA?

CEJA is the voice of Europe’s next generation of farmers and one of the key advocates for the agricultural sector in Europe. Based in Brussels, it brings together young farmers' organisations from across Europe with the main objective of promoting a younger and more innovative agricultural sector across the EU and to create good working and living conditions for young people setting up in farming as well as existing young farmers. It has 29 member organisations and one associate member, representing 21 different European countries and over one million young farmers.

CEJA’s main objective is to promote a younger and innovative agricultural sector across the EU 27 and to create good working and living conditions for young people setting up in farming and those who are already ‘Young Farmers’. CEJA achieves this by acting as a forum for communication and dialogue between young farmers and European decision makers.

Why is it important for our members?

By being a member of CEJA, NFYFC is able to actively lobby on real life issues that affect our members and be at the centre of the debate regarding European Agricultural Policy (for further information click the CAP Reform tab above). Attending meetings allows our members to gain a better understanding of European farming methods and the opportunity to meet and engage with young farmers from across Europe.

The National Federation of Young Farmers and the NFU Next Generation Forum members have entered into a new joint venture in sharing the membership representation on CEJA -The European Council of Young Farmers . This enables young farmers to attend pan-European working groups, seminars and conferences in a bid to influence policy makers and industry to put young farmers’ needs and aspirations high on their agenda.

In addition to attending CEJA meetings and seminars, our representatives will be given the opportunity to enter into discussions with agricultural ministers, relevant MPs and government officials and represent the needs of English and Welsh Young Farmers directly with the Agricultural Commission. As CEJA members, they will be given an audience with Members of the European Parliament and an opportunity to visit the European Parliament to give a voice to the issues that affect them.

What else does CEJA do?

CEJA is also involved in a number of pan-European projects that focus on young farmers. These projects range from